Marijuana / Cannabis / Ganja  ____ Pros and Cons  !


About :

Cannabis, also known as marijuana^[2] (sometimes spelled "marihuana"^[3]) among many other names,^a[›] refers to any number of preparations of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug. The word marijuana comes from the Mexican Spanish marihuana.^[4] According to the United Nations, cannabis "is the most widely used illicit substance in the world."^[5]
The typical herbal form of cannabis consists of the flowers and subtending leaves and stalks of mature pistillate of female plants. The resinous form of the drug is known as hashish (or merely as 'hash').^[6]
The major psychoactive chemical compound in cannabis is Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (commonly abbreviated as THC). At least 66 other cannabinoids are also present in cannabis, including cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN) and tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), which can result in different effects from those of THC alone.^[7]

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Pros

• Marijuana has been used to enhance the appetite of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
• Studies have shown that marijuana is beneficial in relieving a person from the uneasy feeling of nausea.
• Doctors have made use of marijuana, successfully, in the treatment of neurogenic pain.
• The people suffering from glaucoma, asthma and spasticity have been found to have benefited from the consumption of marijuana.
• Marijuana can help relieve the chronic pain and suffering of people with incurable diseases like cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, etc.
• Marijuana is regarded to be a 'mind opener' i.e. it can help people broaden their outlook and think creatively. 

Cons

Short-term Effects

Distorted perception (sights, sounds, time, touch), problems with memory and learning, lack of proper coordination, trouble with problem-solving, increased heart rate and reduced blood pressure are some of the short-term effects of marijuana.

Effects on the Brain

Marijuana contains an active ingredient, delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol or THC that acts on the cannabinoid receptors of the nerve cells and influences the activities of the cells, like pleasure, memory, thought, concentration, sensory, time perception and coordinated movement. High doses of marijuana, when consumed through food, can cause hallucinations, delusions, impaired memory and disorientation.

Effects on the Heart

The heart beat increases rapidly and the blood pressure drops within minutes of smoking marijuana. A person’s heart beat can increase by 20 to 50 beats per minute. A marijuana smoker is three times more at a risk of heart attack.

Effects on the Lungs

Burning and stinging of the mouth and throat and heavy coughing are some effects that are caused by smoking marijuana, even infrequently. Marijuana causes respiratory problems in smokers, such as daily cough and phlegm production, more frequent acute chest illness, increased risk of lung infections and obstructed airways. Marijuana smokers are three times more likely to develop head and neck cancer, as compared to non-smokers.

Effects during Pregnancy

Studies have found that mothers who have used marijuana during pregnancy have given birth to children who are likely to exhibit problems with neurological developments. Prenatal marijuana exposure can cause altered responses to visual stimuli, increased tremulousness, problems with sustained attention and memory and poor problem-solving skills.

SOURCE :   Internet